Between which type of electromagnetic waves does optical radiation lie?
x-ray and microwaves (includes UV, visible light and infrared light)

What is the range of wavelengths of visible light?
400nm - 780nm
What is the relationship between electromagnetic wave wavelength and energy of photos?
short wavelength - greater energy of photons of optical radiation
What is the fate of the following types of radiation:
IRA and UVA are those wavelengths closest to optical radiation
What are the 3 populations of cone photoreceptors in the retina which perceive colour?
What are 3 groups of congenital colour vision defects?
On which chromosomes are the genes encoding red, green and blue pigments found?
What is commonest congenital colour vision defect?
deuteranomaly
What are 2 sites of acquired colour defects?
Which colours tend to be affected by acquired optic nerve colour defects and what are the 2 exceptions?
red-green defects
Exceptions: glaucoma and autosomal dominant optic neuropathy (predominantly blue-yellow deficit)
Which colours tend to be affected by acquired retinal disease colour defects and what are the 2 exceptions?
blue-yellow defects
Exceptions: cone dystrophy and Stargardt’s disease (predominantly red-green)
What is the most comprehensive test of colour vision?
Farnworth-Munsell (FM) hue 100 test (84 coloured discs, groups arranged in rows in order of hue)
What is a colour vision test that can be used by children?
Lanthony New colour test
What colour vision defects do Ishihara pseudoisochromatic test plates test for?
specific test for congenital red-green defects
What is a less comprehensive test for colour defects than the Farnsworth Munsell hue 100 test?
D15 test - doesn’t distinguish mild colour defects
What do aphakic (no lens) eye or pseudophakic eyes with IOLs give rise to blue or violet colours?
usually UVA is absorbed by the lens of the eye but retinal photoreceptors are also sensitive to wavelengths 350-400nm (UVA)
How can some ophthalmic instruments reduce exposure of the retina to damaging wavelengths?
yellow filters
What is the definition of fluorescence?
= the property of a molecule to spontaneously emit light of longer wavelength when stimulated by light of a shorter wavelength
How does fluorescein angiography work?
allows retinal + choroidal circulation to be studied by photographing passage of fluorescein through the vessels

What is pseudofluorescence?
What is another fluorscent substance in addition to fluorescein?
indocyanine green dye
What is the function of indocyanine green dye?
Absorbs 805nm, emits 835 nm infrared radiation - RPE does not absorb these wavelengths, therefore possible to observe fluorescence of choroidal circulation
ICG also used to photosensitise vascular lesions to diode laser photocoagulation
How does the fluorescence of ICG compare with fluorescein?
4% of 805nm radiation absorbed by ICG is emitted at 835nm, vs total (100%) fluorescence of fluorescein
What is the definition of the amplitude of a wave?
maximum displacement of an imaginary particle on the wave from the baseline (see A)
